New Delhi, September 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Investigating agencies are probing an alleged Dubai-based network backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) that is being used to facilitate surveillance and recruitment activities linked to the Khalistan movement in Punjab, officials said.
According to investigators, the module has been providing live information about sensitive locations in Punjab to handlers based in Dubai and Pakistan. Punjab Police recently arrested three people allegedly involved in transmitting such information.
Investigations reportedly found that Wi-Fi-enabled surveillance cameras had been installed at locations in Ludhiana, with live feeds being sent to ISI-backed handlers. An Intelligence Bureau official said the Dubai module resembles an operation earlier associated with Shehzad Bhatti, with both networks allegedly focused on gathering real-time information about sensitive locations and recruiting local operatives.
Officials said the ISI has increasingly been shifting some of its operations to Dubai and other locations outside Pakistan in an apparent attempt to distance its activities from the country. Investigators believe this strategy could also extend to Khalistan-linked operations.
Khalistan-related activities were earlier largely promoted from Canada, but officials said increased action by Canadian authorities against such elements has prompted a shift towards Dubai.
Investigators have also found that recruits are allegedly being instructed to rent premises near sensitive locations and install surveillance cameras. The instructions for setting up the equipment are reportedly being provided by handlers operating from Dubai.
A recent arrest of Rashpal Singh by Punjab Police allegedly exposed elements of the network’s modus operandi. Investigators found that Singh had installed Wi-Fi-enabled surveillance cameras around six kilometres from Baddowal Cantonment and was allegedly collecting and transmitting sensitive information to a Dubai-based handler.
Singh was also allegedly instructed to identify and recruit young people who could carry out similar activities in other parts of Punjab.
Officials suspect that the intelligence gathered through such surveillance could be intended to identify vulnerable or sensitive locations for potential attacks by Khalistan-linked terrorists.
Investigators are now examining the links between Punjab-based operatives and the Dubai module. Police officials said the person allegedly running the Dubai operation is from Punjab, making his connections with local operatives a key focus of the probe.
Officials have also alleged that Khalistan-linked groups are attempting to channel drug proceeds towards financing their activities and are being encouraged to increase recruitment.
Investigators believe that the establishment of overseas modules could allow such networks to operate with greater freedom while making it more difficult for security agencies to trace their activities back to Pakistan.
FOLLOW NOW
